Quote:After months of negotiations with Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno over its anti-gay positions and donations, Chick-fil-A has agreed to cease donations from its non-profit charity to anti-gay organizations and issued a company-wide internal mandate calling for the equal treatment of all employees and customers, the alderman said.

Well, well, well. Seems like money talks. On the one hand, I'm happy. On the other hand, I am cynical about how people with "strong religious convictions" can suddenly find new religion when there is enough money involved.

Chick-Fil-A still has no corporate antidiscrimination policy and some LGBT employees are still harrassed. I still dislike the way that they mix business and religion, as well, so I won't be eating there any time soon. But this is a step in the right direction and an encouraging sign that the tide is turning in favor of equality and justice.

They probably enjoyed the nice little boost they got when the news broke about it and now that it leveled back down they want to capitalize on their mistake. Should be interesting to see what they do from here on out though. Something tells me they aren't going to have workplace equality rules in the near future though.
Blue

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I don't mean to argue or disagree with anyone, but in my opinion, I don't think Chick-Fil-A really cares. They are still anti-gay. The LGBT didn't win a single thing. It's a publicity stunt and a business move. Yes, I know the anti-gay organization is losing funding which could be considered a win, but as for Chick-Fil-A, you didn't win a single thing. It's all about business. I don't think they are losing money off of this. They just want to go into markets where they wouldn't let them because of them being anti-gay. It's not that they are losing, it is just that they want to make more money. But that's just my opinion.

Keep in mind they made a new profit record the day that everyone went to Chick-Fil-A to support them. Yes, I know that was an organized effort to support them, and it was expected they would make a lot of money, but it just shows how many people still support them.

Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter):On the other hand, I am cynical about how people with "strong religious convictions" can suddenly find new religion when there is enough money involved.

So now for someone to be able to open a shop in a neighborhood in Chicago they can only give money to charities some local mob boss agrees with? This sets a very, very dangerous precedent for the U.S. Then again, coming a state where the role of governor seems to be nothing but a stepping stone to Federal prison, what would you expect?

Ok, so now they will have a written piece of paper nobody will ever read so they can stick in a drawer - does that satisfy your inner bureaucrat or do they need to hire 5 "diversity managers" or some bull-shit position like that for you to be satisfied?

Quoting Pyrex (Reply 4):So now for someone to be able to open a shop in a neighborhood in Chicago they can only give money to charities some local mob boss agrees with? This sets a very, very dangerous precedent for the U.S. Then again, coming a state where the role of governor seems to be nothing but a stepping stone to Federal prison, what would you expect?

#1 - the Constitutionality of Chicago barring CFA was shaky from BOTH sides, the closest they got was for CFA to adopt anti-discrimination rules that included LGBT

#2 - who says they made this announcement so they could expand in Boston or Chicago?

Effective immediately, Chick-Fil-A will start implementing a new Corporate Anti-Discrimination Policy. That policy is described below:

1. You shall not discriminate

Sincerely,

Management
"

There, does that work or do you want them to hire a lawyer to write another 10 pages of worthless drivel? If not, I think I just saved them some money, have to see if I can have them pay my fees in Waffle Fries.

Quoting Pyrex (Reply 4):Ok, so now they will have a written piece of paper nobody will ever read so they can stick in a drawer - does that satisfy your inner bureaucrat or do they need to hire 5 "diversity managers" or some bull-shit position like that for you to be satisfied?

That "piece of paper nobody will ever read" gives the company legal recourse in the event there is ever a provable case of discrimination.

Quoting Pyrex (Reply 4):So now for someone to be able to open a shop in a neighborhood in Chicago they can only give money to charities some local mob boss agrees with?

The mayor of a city vocalizes that he doesn't like a company that donates to anti-gay organizations...so that makes him a mob boss? Cool story.

Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 2):I don't mean to argue or disagree with anyone, but in my opinion, I don't think Chick-Fil-A really cares. They are still anti-gay. The LGBT didn't win a single thing. It's a publicity stunt and a business move. Yes, I know the anti-gay organization is losing funding which could be considered a win, but as for Chick-Fil-A, you didn't win a single thing. It's all about business. I don't think they are losing money off of this. They just want to go into markets where they wouldn't let them because of them being anti-gay. It's not that they are losing, it is just that they want to make more money. But that's just my opinion.

Yeah, I think that pretty much sums it up.
No big deal, I can still choose not to do business there ever again, too.

When in Atlanta, in early August I made a telephone call and did manage to get through to Truett's secretary.
I went through my little shtick of growing-up in Atlanta and eating at the (original in Hapeville) Dwarf House thousands of times, etc.
I took great pleasure in reminding her that I remembered quite a few gay employees----who were great at their jobs and did much for the public relations of the restaurant-------AND who helped grow Chick-Fil-A into the huge money machine that it has become. It was off of the sweat of those caring gay employees that the Cathys became VERY rich people. That in turn allowed them the ability to donate money to various charitable causes. So, I think it can be said that gay people helped fund the Cathy family's various charities.

To her credit, the woman was very nice to me. She did give me the usual "corporate" response about non-discrimination, etc. yet she agreed that "any of their gay employees that she knew of were very good".

In the end I felt like it had been worthwhile making the phone call.
I will still likely never step foot in another Chick-Fil-A again, though.

Quoting WestJet747 (Reply 9):I'd never want to see the inside of a courtroom unless I'm the one doing the suing.

Even then, it's likely not a good thing.

Quoting Pyrex (Reply 11):
It certainly does make some gay activists look like hypocrites for caring so much about a chain of fast food they vowed to completely boycott just a few weeks ago

How? Neither gay, nor an activist here, but I for one think this is not enough. While it is a step in the right direction, I won't be patronizing them until they can do something more substantial in this regard.

So your Mom came over last night... What happens next will Blow Your Mind!

Knowing some of the players at the top of the Chic Fil A food chain I'll say that it's not about money.

They're more worried about their eternal souls than anything else, and that's fairly sincere. They were taken aback by the reactions on both sides, and horrified that people thought they hated anyone. Hatred isn't really part of their corporate credo, or intended method of operation.

A lot of people opportunistically, or perhaps ignorantly, but certainly melodramatically accused them of hatred. Dan Cathy voiced his opinion of what he thought traditional marriage was, and that family usually puts its money where it's mouth is. Ask the thousands of kids they've sent to college, or the thousands of people they've put into business. They run a clean business, with polite employees who are pretty well trained. The food is outstanding (although not particularly healthy for you, as with most fast food) and they run a good business on the back end, making money all around.

The reaction they're having now is based on their leaderships desire to do right by people and make decisions they can live with. I realize alot of people don't believe that, and are jaded by their colored perceptions and the incredible hype that surrounds anything in this age of 24 hour news cycles and internet blog hysteria that has fueled so many electronic riots (defined as people reaction irrationally but violently/virulently), but these folks close a day a week to keep with their faith, and they define it for their employees as a day of rest. I don't see them denying anyone jobs, and while I'm certain that in places (as with any other workplace) there will be issues with discrimination between people, but the corporation has always striven to treat customers equally and well.

Like their definition of marriage or not, they don't hate people based on sexual orientation. They are seeking, in their minds, to protect the institutions of family as they understand them. This could have been handled much better with reasoned discourse and persuasion rather than hysterical name calling and chest thumping. Now, neither side will be happy, and no real progress has been made in the development of our society through mutual understanding. More suspicion and acrimony will take place and the idea that threatening and screaming is the path to follow is reinforced.

Quoting dl021 (Reply 18):They're more worried about their eternal souls than anything else, and that's fairly sincere. They were taken aback by the reactions on both sides, and horrified that people thought they hated anyone. Hatred isn't really part of their corporate credo, or intended method of operation.

I do have to agree with you on this and I believe you hit the nail on the head.

Quoting dl021 (Reply 18):They are seeking, in their minds, to protect the institutions of family as they understand them.

Same here...I'm just trying to protect the institution of family as I understand it. What is wrong with that?

I really don't have anything against colored people, I just don't think they should mix with white people. I worry about the kids...how will they know what race they are? How will they know where they belong? How can they grow up to be well-adjusted adults coming from a mixed marriage?

And what about the pure white or pure black kids who see these mixed couples out in public? They're going to think it's perfectly OK to just go ahead and marry somebody who's not the same color! What if everybody did that?

This is a genuine threat to the institution of marriage and the traditional family values that I believe in, and that this country was founded upon. I agree that people should have basically the same legal rights, but marriage is a completely different issue. These seperate races were created by God, that is his plan, and who are we to mix them? It goes against the natural order of things. I have every right as an American to believe this and advocate for laws protecting the institution of marriage.

****
Sorry if that alarmed or offended anyone. Just illustrating how specious the 'protecting the family' argument really is.

The funny part of all of this is that anyone even cares what they think...as though selling a lot of fatty chicken sandwiches somehow qualifies a man to guide the rest of us through life's journey.

Quoting dl021 (Reply 18):Dan Cathy voiced his opinion of what he thought traditional marriage was, and that family usually puts its money where it's mouth is.

Exactly, and they put towards a cause that actively tries to take away rights from homosexuals who wish to enjoy the institution of marriage. If the Cathys are so appalled that people accuse them of hating gays, then they must be blind, deaf and dumb, because there's no way they didn't know what they were donating money to. If the Cathys are so benevolent, there are plenty of other needy charities that don't discriminate.

Quoting dl021 (Reply 18):Ask the thousands of kids they've sent to college, or the thousands of people they've put into business.

There's no doubt in my mind that the corporation strives for excellence. But the Cathys represent the corporation, they are the corporation...and it's because of that that their business will suffer because of their personal views on people's sexuality.

Seems those posters who INSISTED that the Mayor of Boston would be dealing will millions of dollars of legal fees after being sued by Chick-Fil-A need to line up for their serving of humble pie.

Quoting darthluke12694 (Reply 2):I don't mean to argue or disagree with anyone, but in my opinion, I don't think Chick-Fil-A really cares. They are still anti-gay. The LGBT didn't win a single thing. It's a publicity stunt and a business move. Yes, I know the anti-gay organization is losing funding which could be considered a win, but as for Chick-Fil-A, you didn't win a single thing. It's all about business. I don't think they are losing money off of this.

LGBT and everyone else won. Chick-Fil-A learned the hard way that they need to stick to running chicken restaurants and not burden us with their other concerns.

Quoting Pyrex (Reply 4):So now for someone to be able to open a shop in a neighborhood in Chicago they can only give money to charities some local mob boss agrees with?

-1 for the poor quality post.

You were wrong. Too bad you can't bring yourself to admit it instead of bringing up unrelated topics.